Four persons, including a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, in Pilar town, Province of Capiz have been found guilty of animal cruelty. 

Over five months after animal rights group, Roxas Animal Welfare Society (RAWS), filed a case for animal cruelty, the Court found Barangay Blasco SK Chairman Carlo Dave Bacay and the other three suspects Rancie Bawisan, Cristine Bacalangco, and Edmar Gerarde guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 8485 as amended by Republic Act 10631 or the Animal Welfare Act.

“Noong November 8, 2024, nag-promulgate na ng decision ang court. They have been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Naka-bail sila before noong pinapa-issuehan sila ng warrant of arrest, nag-bail din sila kaagad, naka-arraignment din,” according to Atty. Ann Margarette Dy, legal counsel of RAWS.

During the arraignment, the suspects entered a guilty plea which reduced their penalties.

They paid the fines and were not put in jail.

The status of the SK chairman will be a matter for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to decide, Atty. Dy said.

“Kung anuman ang gagawin sa kanya, if i-suspend siya, kung i-remove siya or i-investigate ang mga nangyari, SP ang mag-de-decide on that matter,” Dy said.

The guilty verdict matters, Dy pointed out, as justice is served to the dog that was killed, and that the case serves as a lesson to the public.

“Parang very normal lang na hindi nila first time na pumatay ng aso, parang very normal, sinaktan nila ang hayop which is hindi dapat,” Dy further said.

To recall, it was in May 2024 when a viral video on the animal cruelty was posted by RAWS on their Facebook page. The video showed how persons had beaten to death a dog.

One of the persons was later identified to be SK Chairman Bacay who was seen to have beaten the dog to death while the dog was hanged by the neck.

The incident happened on May 8, 2024.

The other persons involved were found to have pulled the cord around the dog’s neck while it was beaten to death; one took the video who was heard to have taken pleasure at the sight, while the owner of the dog gave the order to have the animal killed.

Police report had it that the owner of the dog asked help from residents to have the dog killed for its alleged pernicious behavior such as gorging on live chickens and other small animals. The owner further said that neighbors have also complained purportedly that the dog might be rabid.